I drove to the post office today to post some ATCs, then when I drove back, I headed up the hill opposite our cottage to take some photos. So you can see where we are situated, this shows the most distant view:
You will have to click on the photo to enlarge it. There is an orange/red roof almost at the centre of the photo, that is the barn roof. Lough Graney can be clearly seen. Not bad views, eh? Here is almost the same view, only with the telephoto lens:
The house in the foreground is ours. The grey section is the extension and the red/orange roof the barn (the one that's coming down). Below is a panorama I put together. Please click on it to enlarge it. Again you can spot our house from the red barn roof.
I also called at the cafe opposite Brodericks Furniture Store. I have mentioned this before. It is run by the previous owner of the store, Anne Broderick, purely for charity. Her sister is a nun in Zimbabwe and she nurses AIDS patients and runs a nursery and school for the children out there. All the money Anne takes goes to her sister's charity. There aren't any prices, you just pop what you like in her collection box. Anne wasn't there today as her sister came home from Zimbabwe for a 3 month break, her first for 2 years. But I did take some photos from the cafe, which is perched on the hill above the lake and has wonderful views. I made a little panorama:
Of course you will need to enlarge it to see properly. You cannot see our cottage from the cafe, it's down a dip! But it's still a fantastic vista:
On the right of the photo just above half way is a house and a large field. That is Michael Flaherty's field and it backs onto our meadow and vegetable plot, so we're just down below the top of that field.I meet a new neighbour
As I drove down the hill, I spotted a gorgeous foal in a little field and stopped to take a photo. A lady came out of the house to see what I was up to. We ended up chatting for over half an hour! She's a lovely lady called Mary and is 84 years old, though you wouldn't have thought so. We discussed everything from her childhood to the waste of money couples spend on weddings, to our cottage. I have promised to call again. She was certainly entertaining company and is clearly lonely as her husband died some time ago. I almost forgot, these are the 2 photos of the foal:
Isn't he gorgeous? A new foal amongst buttercups and daisies. Perfect.Jason, Sam, Jack and Kitty
Jason and Jack and Sam's Mum Rene went to visit Sam and Kitty today in hospital. Guess what, some more photos. I think she's grown since Wednesday!!
This is the best one, Jason with his son and daughter. How proud does he look?
Kitty is clearly bored by the whole procedure!
Poor Sam didn't get much sleep last night. Probably because of the noisy ward I expect.Great Grandad Ivor and Nanny Maureen also visited and lots of 'pass the baby' went on! Jason then took Jack to Ickworth, a fantastic National Trust Property very near their home.
Jack just hanging about!
I think he looks rather wistful here. Maybe considering the situation with the new baby sister!!
He rode his birthday bike and here he's having a rest after all that peddling!!The Deenery Update
Jim and I have been gardening today as it's been lovely and warm. Jim did a lot of strimming where he can't mow and I finished clearing behind the sleeping shed and raked it flat to sow some grass seed. Then that can be mowed too. Easier to keep tidy that way. I also did some weeding on the fairy hill and cutting the grass around the steps to the top. Eventually it got too festooned with midges to carry on, but we did manage to work until about 9.30pm.
The electricians came back today and finished all they can do for the moment. There are wires hanging everywhere! They have been super efficient, fast and friendly. Just what you want. We don't think we'll see the builders until they come back to break through into the cottage - and we won't see them then either because we'll be away!
I am still making ATCs as and when I can. I'm really enjoying the challenge of producing something worthwhile and attractive on such a small piece of card. The ATCs have to be 6cms x 9cms, about the size of a playing card.
I do hope you enjoy today's photos.
